Black men also have higher breast cancer mortality than white and Hispanic men [105].

Age at diagnosis

The median age of breast cancer diagnosis for men in the U.S. is 68 [110]. The median is the middle value of a group of numbers, so about half of men are diagnosed before age 68 and about half are diagnosed after age 68.

Race and ethnicity

The median age of breast cancer diagnosis for men varies by race and ethnicity.

For example, black men tend to be diagnosed at a younger age than white men [110]. The median age at diagnosis for black men is 64, compared to 68 for white men [110].

Warning signs of breast cancer in men

The most common sign of breast cancer in men is a painless lump or thickening in the breast or chest area [86,88-89].

However, any change in the breast or nipple can be a warning sign of breast cancer in men including [86,88-89]:

Lump, hard knot or thickening in the breast, chest or underarm area (usually painless, but may be tender)

Change in the size or shape of the breast

Dimpling, puckering or redness of the skin of the breast

Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple

Pulling in of the nipple (inverted nipple) or other parts of the breast

Some of these signs can be easier to notice in men than in women since men tend to have much less breast tissue than women.

Don’t delay seeing a doctor

Some men may be embarrassed about a change in their breast or chest area and put off seeing a doctor. This may result in a delay in diagnosis. Survival is highest when breast cancer is found early and treated.

If you notice any of the signs above or other changes in your breast, chest area or nipple, see a doctor right away.

If you don’t have a doctor, one of the best ways to find a good one is to get a referral from a trusted family member or friend.

If that’s not an option, call your health department, a clinic or a nearby hospital. If you have insurance, your insurance company may also have a list of doctors in your area.

Rare breast cancers in men

Paget disease of the breast is a rare cancer in the skin of the nipple or in the skin closely surrounding the nipple. It can cause a scaly rash on the skin of the nipple. Although Paget disease of the breast is rare, it occurs more often in men than in women [88].

Men can inherit a BRCA2 mutation from either parent. And, a man who has a BRCA2 mutation can pass the mutation on to both his sons and daughters.

While 5-10 percent of breast cancers in women are thought to be due to inherited gene mutations, up to 40 percent of breast cancers in men may be related to BRCA2 mutations [100].

This means men who get breast cancer are more likely to have an inherited gene mutation than women who get breast cancer. So, it’s recommended men diagnosed with breast cancer have genetic testing. (You may want to meet with a genetic counselor to learn more about genetic testing.)

Men who have a BRCA1 mutation may also have an increased risk of breast cancer, but this link is less clear [70]. Other gene mutations are under study for a possible link to breast cancer in men [70,101].

Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia (enlargement of the breast tissue) is a benign (not cancer) breast condition.

Some studies show gynecomastia may increase the risk of breast cancer in men [92-94].

Klinefelter's syndrome

Klinefelter's syndrome is a rare condition that occurs when men are born with two X chromosomes instead of one (XXY instead of XY). It’s related to high levels of estrogen in the body [88].

Men with Klinefelter's syndrome have a higher risk of breast cancer compared to men without this condition [86,88,93-95].

Men with Klinefelter's syndrome may have gynecomastia (enlargement of the breast tissue). Some studies show gynecomastia may also increase the risk of breast cancer in men [92-94].

Overweight and obesity

Men who are overweight or obese appear to have an increased risk of breast cancer [90-95].

Being overweight can increase estrogen levels in the body and these higher estrogen levels, in turn, may increase breast cancer risk.

Other risk factors

Although data are limited at this time, some factors that can increase estrogen levels in the body are under study for a possible link to breast cancer in men. These include some hormone drugs used to treat prostate cancer [90-91,95].

Other factors under study for breast cancer in men include [91,93-94]:

Diabetes

Exposure to large amounts of radiation early in life (such as radiation therapy to the chest for the treatment of childhood cancer)

Lack of exercise

Some conditions that affect the testicles (such as orchitis (swelling of one or both testicles) or undescended testes)

For more information on breast cancer in men, visit the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (www.nccn.com) or the American Society for Clinical Oncology’s website (www.cancer.net).

SUSAN G. KOMEN® SUPPORT RESOURCES

Our Breast Care Helpline 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) provides free, professional support services to anyone with breast cancer questions or concerns, including men diagnosed with breast cancer and their families. Calls are answered by a trained and caring staff member Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET and from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. PT. You can also email the helpline at helpline@komen.org.

Our free, 12-week telephone support groups for men with breast cancer provide a safe place for men to discuss the challenges of breast cancer, get information and exchange support. To learn more, call the Komen Breast Care Helpline at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) or email helpline@komen.org.

Komen Affiliates offer breast health education as well as fund breast cancer programs through local community organizations. Your local Affiliate may also help you find breast cancer resources in your area. Find your local Affiliate.